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(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet l.

I. H. BROWN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

No. 368,066. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

N. PETERS. mamm lm Washington. ac,

I (No Model.) -3 SheetsSheet-2.'

I. H. BROWN. RAILWAY SIGNAL.

No. 368,066. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

- H I F HI mwboz V @513 W alive-nu (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. I. ILBROWN.

I RAILWAY SIGNAL.

N0. 368,066. PatentedAug. 9, 1887.

N, PETERS, Plwin'uhugnphcr. Wahinm D. C.

with the block system on railroads or in con- UNITED STATES PATENT Orricn.

IRVING H. BROWN, on NEW YORKLN. Y.

RAI LWAY-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 368,066, dated August 9, 1887.

Application filed dune 9, 1886.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING H. BROW of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices forSignaling Moving Trains; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a circuit-closing device to be used in connection nection with switches or draw-bridges and in similar cases, whereby when a car orengineis on a given block or part of the track, or when a switch is displaced or a draw-bridge open, 810., an alarm will be sounded on an approaching engine or car at a suitable distance from the block or switch to enable the approaching car or engine to be stopped at any desired distance before it reaches the block or switch or draw-bridge.

My invention consists in the devices hereinafter described.

My invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lshows my device attached to the truck of the engine and the track, respectively. Fig. 2 shows my invention applied to the block system. Fig. 3 shows its application to a switch. 7 Figs. 4., 5, and 6 are detail views of the construction of the switching apparatus; and Figs. 7 andS are plan and sectional views of my continuously-ringing device.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the different figures.

A is a cross-piece attached to the tender or car with which my device is to be connected.

a a are two bars attached to the cross-piece A and placed perpendiculartothe cross-piece A, so as to lie in a direction parallel with the track. Only one of the bars a is shown in the drawings. The bars a a are firmly fastened to the cross-piece A.

b b are guide-bolts passing through the ends of the bars a a, respectively. and fastened rig idly to those bars by means of nuts.

0 c are the supporting-pieces for the terminals d d, and are made of wood or other nonconducting material. The guide-bolts b I; pass Serial No. 204,584. (No model.)

through the ends, respectively, of the supportingpieces c c, and hold those pieces up in their position by means of nuts screwed onto the lower ends of the bolts 1) b. The bolts 1) b are encircled by the springs c 0. These springs at their upper ends bear against the nuts, which are screwed-onto the bolts I) I) immediately under the cross-pieces a a. At the lower ends the springs bear against washers, which rest upon the supporting-pieces cc. These springs permit the supporting-pieces c c to slide upward on the bolts b b when pressure is brought to bear. upon the pieces 0 c from below, but force those pieces down into their lowest position when the upward pressure ceases.

To the supporting-pieces c c are attached the terminals d d. The lower surface of the supporting-pieces c c are preferably rounded, as shown in Fig. 1, and the terminals (1 (1 consist of bands ofsteel or iron or other conducting material rounded in a similar manner and firmly fastened to the supportingpiece c. The terminals cl (1 are connected with the wires ff of the circuit in any ordinary way, as by means of binding-screws. These wires ff, one from each terminal (I, pass up into the cab of the engine, and are there connected with the sounding apparatus in any ordinary manner.

I prefer to use the continuous ringer for my sounding device, as in the ordinary use of my invention the circuit is closed only for an instant.

My continuously-ringing device is clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which (I d are the terminals on the engine or car and ff the wires of the main circuit connected with those terminals. One wire f passes to the battery,

and thence to the set-screw t, by means of which it is connected withone end of the coil a. The other wire f passes to the set-screw o, by means of which it is connected with the other end of the coil a. When the main circuit is closed, a current of eleetricityis passed through the coil u, the bar of iron within the coil is magnetized, and the pivoted arm at is drawn down against the magnet, thus releasing the pivoted arm y,which of its own weight falls down against the arm 2. A local circuit is thus established. The line of this circuit is as follows: Beginning at the battery, through the wire 2, to the ringing device, which is made in any usual manner as shown in Fig.

7, from the ringing device to the set-screw if, and then by a connecting-wire to the arm 2, then through the arm 3 then through the iron support or frame-piece to the set-screw or post .6, thence by the wiref to the set-screw 1., and thence to the battery, thus completing the local circuit. 3y this means, when the main circuit is once closed, a continuous local circuit is thereby established, which continues to sound the alarm after the main circuit has been broken between the terminals (1 d.

in Fig. 8 a part of my continuously-ringing device is shown as incased in a cover or box. This is for the purpose of greater protection. \Vhcn the main circuit is not closed, the arm a: is held up from the coil 10 or its core by means ofa spring, as shown in Fig. 8. Any other suitable device may be used for establishing a local circuit in connection with the ringer.

The advantage of my construction is that any closing of the main circuit, no matter for how short a time it may he, will be sufficient to establish my local circuit and thus cause the alarm to be sounded, whereas, if the bell were merely connected with the main circuit, the contact of the terminals on the engine and road-bed might in some cases be so instantaneous that no sul'licient current would pass through the circuit to cause the bell to sound.

9 g are two contact-pieces attached firmly to the supporting-pieces h h, which supportingpieccs must be made of some non-conducting material, and are firmly fastened to the ties or fixed in their position on the road-bed in any ordinary way. The supports 71 h are preferably curved or rounded on the top, as shown in Fig. 1, and the contact-pieces, which consist of strips or hands of iron or steel. or other conducting material, are preferably curved or bent in like manner, as shown.

t '17 are two wires connected in any ordinary way with the contact-pieces g, and properly insulated. These two wires ii are so connected with the part of the track as to which it is desired that information shall be given that, when the danger is present which it is desired to signal to the moving train, these two wires i 17 and the contact-pieces with which they are connected shallform partof a continuous electric circuit, broken onlybetween the two contact-pieces g g, and so that when the danger which itis desired to signal to the moving train is not present that electrical circuit shall be broken not only between the two contact pieces 57 g, but also at some other point or points. Thus when electrical connection is established between the two contact-pieces 1 by the movement of the passing train-to wit, by the contact of the contact-pieces g r with the corresponding terminals on the train dd the circuit is completed when the danger is present, and so the alarm rung in the moving train; but the circuit is not completed when the danger is absent. Thus, when my invention is used in connection with the block system, the wires i tare connected, respectively, with the two continuous rails of the block with which the alarm is to be connected, these continuous rails being earefullyinsulated the one from the other and from the rails of the adjacent blocks on each side. For the sake of greater security the wires 17 i preferably run along beside the rails for the entire length. of the said block, one wire being connected separately with each rail on one side of the track, and the other wi rei being connected separately with each rail on the other side of the track. These wires 17 i, with their various branches, are insulated and protected in any ordinary way.

The contact pieeesy r are placed on the track at the desired dis. ance from the block with which they are electrically connected. The terminals (Z d on the engine are so placed that their lowest points are below the highest points of the contact-pieces g g, and are so placed as to be immediately in line with the contactpiecesg 1. so that when the engine carrying the terminals is passing the contact-pieces the terminals and contact-pieces will be brought into electrical contact, respective] y, one inclined surface of the terminal (I striking against one inclined surl'aceot' the contact-piece \Vhen the terminals (1 d strike the contactpieces g, the supporting-pieces c c, with the terminals, are forced up on the guide-bolts I) I), the springs c 0 being compressed. When the terminals are relieved from upward pressure,the springs c c operate to force them down againinto their lowest position. If there should be a car or engine at any place on the block, it is evident that the rails, and through them the wires '5 i, will be electrically connected by the wheels and axles of such ear or engine, and in this case when the terminals (1 d on the approaching engine and the fixed contact-pieces y I are also electrically connected the entire circuit will be closed and the alarm on the engine will be sounded, thus warning the engineer of the obstruction on the track ahead of him. If, however, there is no car or engine on the block in question, then no alarm will be sounded.

Again, when my invention is used to signal that a switch is misplaced it is arranged shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. The terminals (1 d. are connected with the engineand the contact-pieces g 1 are fastened to the rozul-bedin the manner already described.

The rest of my device is arranged as follows: Mare two wires lcadi ng from the contact-pieces totheswitch. 7aistheuprightrod.ofthcswitch. This rod is supported by the standard 1. Attached to the standard Zis a ring, on, of noncondncti ng material, through which ring the rod 7; passes. Immediatelyabovetheringmisasimi' lar ring, a, of non-coiulueting material fastened rigidly around the rod hand resting upon and turning upon the ringm. The rings m and a have the contact-plates 0 o and p 1), attached to them, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and G. \Vhcn ICS theswitch is closed,the contact-plate prestsimmediately above the contactplate and the contact-plate B rests immediately above the contact-plate 0. One of the wires 1' is connected'with the contact-plate o and the other wirez'is connected with the contact-plate 0. When the switch is closed, the plate 0 is not electrically connected with the plate 0,- but when the switch is opened the rod is is turned with the ring a, and as the ring 01 turns the contact-plate 1) slides around on the contactplate 0 and comes in contact with the contact plate 6, and in this way establishes electrical connection between the contact-plates 0 and 0, so that when the switch is opened the circuit is closed at this point. A

Then the switch is closed, the platesp and 19 rest upon and cover the plates 0 and o, and

' thus protect them from the action of the at mosphere or foreign substances. Moreover, the plates 1) p by bearing down upon the plates 0 0 produce a constant friction, which keeps all the plates clean and bright. Again, when the switch is opened the plates 0 0 are electrically connected at both ends by the plates 19 p, and the establishment of the circuit is thus insured.

It is evident that when the terminals d (2 come in contact with the contact-pieces g y, if the switch is opened, the entire circuit is closed and the alarm in the cab of the-engine is sounded and the engineer is warned of the open switch. If the switch is closed, no alarm will be sounded.

Myinvention can also be used in connection with draw-bridges, or in any case where any portion of the track has been displaced or there is any obstruction on the track, such as a car or engine. It is only necessary that a circuit, of which the contact-pieces g are the terminals, should beclosed by the presence of the danger to be signaled except between those two terminals, but should be broken by the removal of the danger to be signaled, so as to be incomplete not only between those two terminals, but at some other point or points. XVit-h this condition of the circuit the electrical connection established between the contactpieces 9 g by the devices heretofore described on the moving train will, when the danger is present, complete the entire circuit, but when the danger is absent will not complete the entire circuit.

r a" are two additional wires running from the terminals 61 l to the engine cab, where they are connected with the electrical switch 8. By connecting the wires 1' 1 together by means of the switch 3, the engineer can at any time tell whether that part of the circuit which is on the engine is in working order.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A circuit-closing device for use on railways, consisting of terminals attached to an engine or car, electrically connected with each other on the engine or car, and having a batceaoss Y a tery and sounding apparatus in circuit, in combination with insulated contact-pieces attached permanently to the ties or some part of the road-bed, and two continuous wires running the entire length of the block, one wire being connected electricallywith every rail on one side of the track and the other wire with every rail on the other side of the track, the contact-pieces being connected, respectively, with the two wires, whereby the presence of any car or engine on the given block will by electrically connecting the two rails close the circuit at that point, and the contact of the terminals on the approaching engine and the contact-pieces on the roadbed will close the entire circuit and cause the sounding of an alarm on the approaching engine, and whereby there will be two electric paths on either side of the track, so that if one be broken the other will still operate and cause the alarm to be sounded, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a circuit-closing device for use on railways, in combination with terminals attached to an engine or car, said terminals being electrically connected with each other on the engine or car, and having a battery and sounding apparatus in circuit,and insulated contactpieces attached permanently to the ties or some part of the road-bed, the contact-plates 0 0 and p 1), attached to the standard and rod of aswitch, respectively, and electrically connected with the contaetpieces, the plates 1) p, resting upon and covering and protecting the plates 0 0, whereby, when the switch is displaced, the circuit will be closed, by the contact of the terminals and the contact-pieces and an alarm will be sounded on an approaching= engine or car, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A. circuit-closing device for use on railways, consisting of the bars a a, the bolts b b, the snpportsc c, the terminalsd d, the springs e c, the wires ff, connecting the terminals with a battery and sounding apparatus, the contact-pieces g g and their supports, and the wiresz' z, connected with the rails of the track, respectively, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4, A circuit-closing device for use on railways, consisting of the bars a a, the bolts b b, the supports co, the terminals (1 (Z, the springs e e, the wires ff, connecting the terminals with a battery and sounding apparatus, the contact pieces 9 g and their supports, the wires 2' t, and the contact-plates 0 0 and p 19, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A eircuit-closing device for use on railways, consisting of the bars a a, the bolts b b, the supports 0 c, the terminals (1 d, the springs e e, the wires f f, connecting the terminals ICO with a battery and sounding apparatus, the

contact pieces 9 g and their supports, the wires 2' 2', connected with the rails of the track, respectively, and the wires 1* r, and switch 8, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In combination with an electric circuit loeoil circuit will be closed and the bell will on an engine or car, and terminals connected sound, substantially as and for the purposes IO therewith and terminals connected with the set forth.

road-bed, {L battery, and a device for esteblish- T T i 1 T iug a local circuit on the engine or car imme- N iliatcly upon the closing of the main circuit, Witnesses:

whereby, when the main circuit is closed by 101313111 N. KENYOX,

the instantaneous contact of the terminals, the EVA H. KELLEY. 

